McCarron, No. 1 Alabama beat Colorado State 31-6 (VIDEO)

McCarron, No. 1 Alabama beat Colorado State 31-6 (VIDEO)

September 21st, 2013by JOHN ZENOR, AP Sports Writer
in News

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - AJ McCarron passed for 258 yards and threw a 30-yard touchdown to DeAndrew White in the fourth quarter to lift No. 1 Alabama to a 31-6 victory over Colorado State on Saturday night.

Kenyan Drake set up one touchdown with a blocked punt returned 15 yards by Dillon Lee and scored on a 3-yard touchdown run for the Crimson Tide (3-0), which led just 17-6 heading to the fourth. Alabama managed only one offensive touchdown and no third-down conversions in the first three quarters a week after winning a 49-42 shootout over Texas A&M.

Coached by former Tide offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, the Rams (1-3) nursed hopes for a monumental upset into the fourth quarter before allowing two touchdowns. Trey DePriest stripped the ball from quarterback Garrett Grayson and recovered the fumble early in the quarter.

The next play, McCarron laced a perfect strike to White in the end zone and restless Alabama fans had something to cheer about.

The Tide was without several key players, including receivers Amari Cooper and Kevin Norwood, guard Anthony Steen and cornerback Deion Belue

This was a sandwich game between Southeastern Conference showdowns, and the nearly 40-point favorites played like it offensively. No. 21 Mississippi visits Bryant-Denny Stadium next week.

McCarron completed 20 of 26 passes but also was intercepted on an ill-advised throw. T.J. Yeldon ran seven times for 49 yards while Christion Jones caught nine passes for 90 yards.

Yeldon was held out of the first quarter after getting flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct against Texas A&M. He apologized in a statement Monday for making the "money" and double throat slash gestures after a touchdown.

He had a 38-yard run on his first carry midway through the second quarter but the running game produced only 66 yards on 21 carries. Drake's touchdown run came between the tackles on a fourth-down play.

Grayson completed 24 of 38 passes for 228 yards for the Rams, who managed just 51 yards on the ground. Rashard Higgins had seven catches for 71 yards and Joe Hansley gained 82 on six receptions.

Alabama failed on all six third-down attempts through three quarters and finished 2 of 10.

The Tide outgained Colorado State 338-279 in total yards after running up 568 yards a week ago. Alabama continued to find other ways to score.

Lee's return early in the second quarter was the Tide's fifth non-offensive touchdown.

Alabama backup quarterback Blake Sims hit Chris Black for a 14-yard touchdown pass to add to the lead with 1:13 left. McCarron was in for most of the series against a team led by his former position coach.

McElwain was part of two national championship teams as the Tide's offensive coordinator from 2008-11.

His Rams didn't reach Alabama territory until midway through the third quarter and then did it two straight drives.

The Tide defense did come up with stops both times. Jared Roberts kicked field goals of 45 and 31 yards to cut the Tide's lead to 17-6.

Landon Collins pulled Grayson down on a keeper on third down to force the second kick.